Over the last 15 years, I’ve tested an extensive range of camera gear and developed a particular fondness for Canon’s offerings. As a matter of fact, my landscape photography journey began with a Nikon, but right when Canon announced the R5 in 2020, I jumped on the opportunity to make the switch and found myself consistently impressed with the performance and image quality, particularly for landscape work. 

In this article, I’ll share my personal recommendations for the best Canon cameras for landscape photography. From high-resolution sensors to robust weather sealing, each camera on this list has earned its place based on real-world performance and extensive testing.

And yes, some of the cameras are newer while others have been around a bit, but remember this—mastering the fundamentals of photography is far more important than chasing the latest models. Great landscapes can be captured with almost any camera if you know how to use it!

Table of Contents

• Best Canon Cameras for Landscape Photography: Canon EOS R5
• Best Canon Cameras for Landscape Photography: Canon EOS R6 Mark II
• Best Canon Cameras for Landscape Photography: Canon EOS R8
• Best Canon Cameras for Landscape Photography: Canon EOS R10
• Best Canon Cameras for Landscape Photography: Canon EOS 6D Mark II
• Final Thoughts on the Best Canon Cameras for Landscapes

Best Canon Cameras for Landscape Photography: Canon EOS R5

I’ve been shooting with the Canon EOS R5 for some time now, and it quickly became my go-to camera for landscape photography. With its 45MP sensor, I can capture every minute detail in a scene, whether it’s the delicate texture of leaves or the rugged lines of a mountain range. The dynamic range is phenomenal, allowing me to retain details in both the shadows and highlights during challenging lighting conditions—like a bright sky over a shadowed valley.

Get an inside look at the R5 in my 18-month long-term review above.

Specs:

• Sensor: 45MP full-frame CMOS sensor.
• ISO Range: 100-51,200 (expandable to 102,400).
• In-body Image Stabilization (IBIS): Yes, up to 8 stops.
• Weather Sealing: Fully weather-sealed body.
• Video: 8K at 30fps, 4K at 120fps.
• Burst Shooting: 20fps with electronic shutter, 12fps with mechanical.

Pros of the Canon EOS R5

• Incredibly high resolution for capturing fine details in landscape shots.
• Excellent dynamic range, especially for challenging light conditions like sunsets and sunrises.
• 8-stop IBIS allows for handheld shots in low light or longer exposures.
• Weather-sealed for all types of outdoor conditions.
• Dual card slots for backup and security on long shoots.

One of the features I appreciate most is the 8-stop IBIS. This makes a world of difference when I’m out in the field and don’t want to lug around a tripod. I’ve been able to handhold shots at slower shutter speeds without worrying about camera shake, especially when I’m hiking through rough terrain. The R5 also holds up in tough conditions thanks to its weather sealing, which I’ve tested in everything from desert dust storms to misty mountain mornings.

Cons of the Canon EOS R5

• Can overheat during extended 8K video recording.
• Higher price point, making it an investment for serious photographers.

Other than those two relatively minor issues, I honestly haven’t found any major flaws with this camera over the years. It’s simply a fantastic rig, especially for landscape photography.

In short, if you’re serious about landscape photography and need a camera that delivers across the board, the Canon EOS R5 is a powerhouse that doesn’t disappoint​ and feels amazing in your hands! 

Best Canon Cameras for Landscape Photography: Canon EOS R6 Mark II

Having used both the original Canon EOS R6 and its successor, the R6 Mark II, I can confidently say the upgrade was worth it.

While the 24.2MP sensor may seem modest compared to the R5, it still produces stunningly detailed images, and the low-light performance is where this camera truly shines. Many of my favorite landscape shots are taken either at dawn or dusk, and the R6 Mark II handles these lighting conditions effortlessly. The ability to push the ISO without sacrificing image quality has been a game-changer for me as well.

Get a thorough walk-through of the Canon EOS R6 Mark II in my video above!

Specs:

• Sensor: 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor.
• ISO Range: 100-102,400 (expandable to 204,800).
• In-body Image Stabilization (IBIS): Yes, up to 8 stops.
• Weather Sealing: Yes.
• Video: 4K at 60fps.
• Burst Shooting: 40fps with electronic shutter, 12fps with mechanical.

Pros of the Canon EOS R6 Mark II

• Fantastic low-light performance, perfect for dawn and dusk landscapes.
• 8-stop IBIS for stabilized handheld shooting.
• Fast and accurate autofocus system, even in low-contrast situations.
• Compact body with professional ergonomics.
• Dual card slots for increased security when shooting.

One of the first things I noticed when I upgraded to the R6 Mark II was the improved autofocus system. It’s fast, responsive, and accurate, even in low-contrast situations like foggy mornings or shadowed forests. I also appreciate the ergonomics—the camera feels great in hand, with controls that are logically placed, making it comfortable to shoot with for extended periods. Canon’s attention to ergonomics is something I’ve always valued from the first time I picked up the original EOS R with the 15-35mm f/2.8, and the R6 Mark II is no exception.

Cons of the Canon EOS R6 Mark II

• Slightly lower resolution compared to the R5 (24.2MP).
• Limited video resolution compared to the R5 (no 8K).

But, again, these are nit-picky things. I’ve had the R6 Mark II for a while now, and I’ve yet to discover any major flaws with it. Yet another great option for your landscape photography!

Best Canon Cameras for Landscape Photography: Canon EOS R8

If you value portability without sacrificing image quality, the Canon EOS R8 is a fantastic option…

It’s a full-frame camera, but much more compact than the R5 or R6. Where the R5 and R6 may sting the old bank account, the R8 is a little more forgiving in this department.  While I don’t own this camera and have only tested it, I can see this being a go-to when I know I’ll be covering long distances, hiking through rough terrain, or backpacking. Why, you may ask?

Well, to start, if you are watching the weight of what you are carrying, the R8 comes in roughly 7 ounces less than the R5 and R6. Yet, despite being smaller and lighter, the image quality is impressive, especially for the price point. The fast autofocus system makes it easy to capture quick compositions before the light changes or critters move, too.

Take a detailed look at the Canon EOS R8 in the video above by Simon d’Entremont.

Specs:

• Sensor: 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor.
• ISO Range: 100-102,400.
• In-body Image Stabilization (IBIS): No.
• Weather Sealing: No.
• Video: 4K at 60fps.
• Burst Shooting: 40fps with electronic shutter.

Pros of the Canon EOS R8

• Lightweight and compact, making it ideal for hiking and travel.
• Fast autofocus system, great for quick landscape compositions.
• Excellent image quality for its price point.
• 4K video capabilities for landscape filmmakers.

Keep Reading: What are the Best Cameras for Nature Photography?

Cons of the Canon EOS R8

• No in-body image stabilization, which may require a tripod for longer exposures.
• Limited weather sealing, not ideal for extreme outdoor conditions.

The lack of in-body stabilization is definitely something to be mindful of. When shooting handheld, especially in lower light, I’ve noticed that I need to be more cautious with my shutter speeds.

That said, this really isn’t a big deal, considering that the lighting conditions for most of my work are usually awesome, and even still, I nearly always have my tripod with me. So if you’re like me and prefer to travel light, bring along a small, sturdy tripod (the Peak Design Travel Tripod is what I carry) to mitigate this limitation​.

Best Canon Cameras for Landscape Photography: Canon EOS R10

The Canon EOS R10 is a great option if you are just getting started or looking for a budget-friendly camera.

While it has an APS-C sensor, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the image quality, especially when shooting in well-lit conditions. When I first got started, I shot with an APS-C sensor camera (Nikon D90) for some time before I made the jump to a full frame camera (Nikon D700). Even still, I kept my crop sensor camera for years after as a reliable second body.

Something that is a bit of a bonus on the R10, like what I mentioned a moment ago on the R8, is that this camera is also lightweight and portable coming in roughly one ounce lighter than the already lightweight R8. This makes the R10 a strong contender for travel photography. While it lacks some of the advanced features of the higher-end models, it’s still a capable performer for capturing beautiful landscapes.

Learn all about the Canon EOS R10 in the video above by Tech Through The Lens.

Specs:

• Sensor: 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor.
• ISO Range: 100-32,000.
• In-body Image Stabilization (IBIS): No.
• Weather Sealing: No.
• Video: 4K at 60fps.
• Burst Shooting: 23fps with electronic shutter, 15fps with mechanical.

Pros of the Canon EOS R10

• Affordable and lightweight, perfect for beginners or those on a budget.
• Good image quality for an APS-C sensor, especially in well-lit conditions.
• Compact size makes it easy to carry on long hikes.
• 4K video capabilities for creative landscape filmmakers.

Cons of the Canon EOS R10

• No in-body stabilization or weather sealing.
• APS-C sensor doesn’t offer the same depth or dynamic range as full-frame.

One thing to keep in mind is that the APS-C sensor means you’re not getting the same depth and dynamic range as a full-frame camera. However, if you’re willing to work within its limits, the R10 is more than capable of producing excellent landscape shots​. This camera is a workhorse and a fantastic option for anyone on a budget wanting to get into the Canon EOS R ecosystem.  

Best Canon Cameras for Landscape Photography: Canon EOS 6D Mark II

The Canon EOS 6D Mark II is a fantastic option if you’re a hobbyist landscape photographer looking for an affordable, full-frame camera.

Don’t get me wrong. While I appreciate the 26.2MP sensor, which delivers solid image quality, especially when working in well-lit conditions, what really excites me about this camera is the amazing affordability of its lenses.

You see, this camera uses Canon’s EF mount. Since many folks have jumped over to the R family of cameras, the used market is FULL of great deals on EF lenses (and older Canon camera bodies, for that matter). This means you can get into a full frame body with awesome specs for about the same price as the R10, which is a crop sensor.

While the EOS 6D Mark II doesn’t offer the ultra-high resolution of some of Canon’s newer models, it’s more than capable of producing detailed, vibrant landscape images.

Get some more insights into the Canon EOS 6D Mark II in the video above by
Jake Borowski.

Specs:

• Sensor: 26.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor.
• ISO Range: 100-40,000.
• In-body Image Stabilization (IBIS): No.
• Weather Sealing: Yes.
• Video: Full HD at 60fps.
• Burst Shooting: 6.5fps.

Pros of the Canon EOS 6D Mark II

• Affordable full-frame camera, ideal for hobbyist landscape photographers.
• Good image quality, especially in well-lit conditions.
• Fully articulating touchscreen for versatile shooting angles.
• Weather-sealed body, great for outdoor photography.
• EF mount – very supply rich used market – means great deals!

One of my favorite features is the fully articulating touchscreen. This has been a huge help for shooting at unusual angles—whether I’m capturing low-to-the-ground perspectives of wildflowers or framing high-angle shots of mountain peaks.

The weather-sealed body has also proven to be a reliable companion when shooting in unpredictable conditions. I’ve used this camera in light rain and snow, and windy desert conditions without any issues.  

Cons of the Canon EOS 6D Mark II

• Lacks in-body stabilization, requiring a tripod for longer exposures.
• Lower resolution compared to newer models.

One area where the 6D Mark II does fall short is the lack of in-body stabilization. This means I often rely on a tripod for longer exposures, especially when shooting at dawn or dusk, or when I’m working in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. But, as I mentioned earlier, this isn’t a big deal for me as I always have a tripod with me.

While the burst rate of 6.5fps is sufficient for most landscape needs, if you need fast burst rates, you might need to get creative here. That being said, the 6D Mark II has its rightful place on this list, especially if you are looking for a budget-friendly, full-frame camera that doesn’t compromise on image quality. It’s a solid, no-frills choice for anyone who wants to dive into landscape photography without breaking the bank​.

Keep Reading: The Best DSLR Camera for Enthusiast Photographers

Final Thoughts on the Best Canon Cameras for Landscapes

Photo by Josh Withers on Unsplash (license)

Closing things up on this Best Canon Cameras for Landscapes topic, for years, I’ve been saying the same thing—don’t get caught up in thinking you need the latest and greatest camera gear to take amazing photos.

The truth is, great shots are out there waiting for you, and it doesn’t really matter what camera you have in your hand (seriously, it doesn’t!). Whether it’s a film camera like this Canon AE-1 next to me, your iPhone that’s in your pocket, or any camera capable of capturing light and converting it into an image, it’s the photographer, not the gear, that makes the magic happen.

To the salty veterans out there reading this, you already know this truth all too well. But for those of you who are beginners, this reminder is aimed at you: focus on learning the fundamentals of photography—lighting, composition, exposure—and worry less about what camera you’re using. While this list includes some fantastic Canon cameras that will help you along your journey, remember that any camera can do the trick if you know how to use it.

This list represents a well-balanced selection of cameras, from high-end powerhouses like the EOS R5 to budget-friendly options like the EOS R10. Any one of them will do the job, but in the end, it’s your creativity and knowledge that will bring those landscapes to life!

Just so you know, some of the cool stuff we mention comes with affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission if you buy (no extra charge to you!). Plus, we occasionally feature sponsored content, but rest assured, we only shout out products we genuinely stand behind.

Learn More:

• Best Canon Camera for Beginners
• Best Intermediate Camera for 2024: 3 Top Options

Hero photo by Photo by KAL VISUALS on Unsplash (license)

The post Best Canon Cameras for Landscape Photography appeared first on Photography Talk.

Looking for creative landscape photography ideas often leads me in unexpected directions – it can be for you as well. Follow me as I go through some landscape photography ideas I have found helpful in continuing to capture more and different images.

Table of Contents

• Landscape Photography Ideas – Blue Hour
• Landscape Photography Ideas – Low Angle
• Landscape Photography Ideas – Telephoto Compression
• Landscape Photography Ideas – Black & White
• Landscape Photography Ideas – Make Canvas Prints

Landscape Photography Ideas – Blue Hour

Photo by Wojciech Dziadosz via Shutterstock

Blue hour photography is a wonderful method for capturing awesome and unique landscape images. What is blue hour photography, and what makes it part of my list of unique landscape photography ideas to try?

Blue hour photography refers to a time of day with a particular lighting characteristic – blue light. Many photographers know golden hour backward and forwards. Golden hour refers to the time of day just after sunrise or coming up on sunset. 

In golden hour, the sun is above the horizon but low in the sky. With the sun low in the sky, the light passes through more atmosphere and takes on a somewhat warm and golden hue. This makes for beautiful landscape images.

Photo by Mr. Simon Paul via Shutterstock

Blue hour is when the sun is below the horizon, but the sky is still lit by sunlight. With the sun out of the picture (literally!), the wavelengths of light are more similar to nighttime conditions. The color hues are decidedly cool, leaning towards purple, violet, and blue. Hence the name blue hour.

What time is blue hour? In the morning, it is from an hour or so before to right before sunrise. In the evening, it is just after the sun dips below the horizon and lasts for about another hour. Before or after blue hour is entirely nighttime. The actual length of time will depend on the season, the weather, and your latitude.

Calculating proper exposure can be tricky, with some light values requiring shutter speeds of several seconds. However, the beautiful results are well the effort required for landscape photography ideas involving the magic of Blue Hour.

Landscape Photography Ideas – Low-Angle

Photo by Kedardome via Shutterstock

Extreme low-angle photography is one of the better landscape photography ideas for unique images. Zooming with your feet is a common method for changing the view of a landscape scene. As the name indicates, you just walk closer to the subject to frame a tighter shot. Low-angle photography is similar in intent.

Lowering your camera almost to ground level creates a unique perspective that can work wonders with certain landscape photography scenes. It works especially well with extreme depth-of-field effects with foreground interest. The image above, for example, benefits from a low-angle perspective because it fills the foreground with the beautiful long exposure effect of the water rushing over the rocks in the stream.

Landscape Photography Ideas – Telephoto Compression

Photo by skyNext via Shutterstock

Forced perspective tricks can be accomplished as landscape photography ideas by using lenses other than the normal range of lenses often used in photography. Ultra wide-angle lenses stretch apparent perspective, which is a common effect in landscape photography.

Going to the other extreme and using very long lenses gives a forced perspective effect known as telephoto compression. Instead of stretching the apparent perspective, this effect compresses the apparent perspective, making objects seem to be closer to each other.

In the video above, Henry Turner explains how to use telephoto compression in landscape photography.

Read more: Is a Zoom or a Prime the Best Lens for Landscape Photography?

Landscape Photography Ideas – Black & White

Photo by Sam Kranz via Shutterstock

Black-and-white landscape photography ideas are part of what got me into this field in the first palace. Seeing what Ansel Adams could do with a landscape scene and black & white film and paper was magical.

You can do black-and-white in film and in digital photography, too. Digital black-and-white landscape photography ideas can turn a current scene into a classic and timeless work of art. Do it in-camera with its black-and-white mode or use a post-processing program like Adobe Photoshop Lightroom to adjust any color digital image file.

When creating black-and-white images, focus your attention on elements of the scene that provide interest in the absence of color. It’s common to look for textures and patterns that catch the viewer’s eye. The image of the beach above is a good example of this. The beach sand takes on an almost asphalt-like appearance. Combined with the softer texture of the water coming ashore and the linear element of the horizon, this photo is oozing with detail!

Landscape Photography Ideas – Make Canvas Prints

With these unique and special landscape photography ideas captured in your camera, you will want to display them in the best form possible. If you ask me, a large canvas print from Artbeat Studios is a marvelous way to showcase the results of these landscape photography ideas.

I’ve used Artbeat Studios for years to order prints of all shapes and sizes. And one thing has rung true for all of them – the exceptional quality. Beyond the inherent value of a well-made print, you can also benefit from features like different styles, wraps, and frame options to tailor the look of your print to your specific needs and likes.

Artbeat Studios ensures the best-looking prints by using archival inks to print the image on the canvas. The canvas is then wrapped around a frame made with real wood bars that prevent the canvas from sagging or drooping over time. The result is a canvas print of your landscape image that stands the test of time – as it should!

Generating your print is simple, too. Start the process using Artbeat Studios’ online order portal, and you’ll have a gorgeous print at your doorstep in a few days!

Implementing these unique landscape photography ideas and then printing them as canvas prints will lead you in unexpected directions, resulting in the beautiful art of your favorite genre of photography.

A quick heads-up: If you snag something through our affiliate links or check out our sponsored content, we might earn a commission at no extra cost to you. But fear not, we’re all about recommending stuff we’re truly stoked about!

Learn More:

• Summer Landscape Photography Tips
• Photography Tips: Techniques for Beautiful Landscapes

Hero shot by IZZ HAZEL via Shutterstock.

The post 5 Unique Landscape Photography Ideas to Try appeared first on Photography Talk.

In this landscape photography guide, we’ll share six landscape photography tips that will transform your photos from average to outstanding overnight. We’ll discuss topics such as knowing the best places to shoot beforehand, taking advantage of the best times of day for landscapes, experimenting with different angles, and more.

Regardless of your experience as a landscape photographer, there are always ways to improve. So, whether you’re a professional photographer who shoots with a digital camera or a beginner photographer who takes pictures with your phone, join us as we explore the best photography techniques for capturing beautiful landscapes!

Check out the video above by Michael Shainblum to discover the one tip that helped him take better landscape photos and be more creative. 

Table of Contents

• Choose the Right Location for Beautiful Landscapes
• Understand Composition Principles for Beautiful Landscapes
• Maximize Natural Light for Landscape Photography
• Use Filters and Accessories for Beautiful Landscapes
• Experiment with Perspectives and Angles

Choose the Right Location for Beautiful Landscapes

Photo by 86Eric_Anthony_Mischke 86 via Shutterstock

It used to be way harder to plan a landscape photo shoot, but thanks to today’s modern resources, you can now do almost everything from the comfort of your home. You can research locations on blogs, survey them on Google Earth, and view other photographer’s portfolios for inspiration. You can also check the weather online to choose the best day to go.

With that said, we also recommend getting off the beaten path and exploring lesser-known spots every once in a while. The landscape photography industry is full of images from the same locations, and you never know when you might stumble upon a hidden, beautiful landscape. 

Understand Composition Principles for Beautiful Landscapes

Photo by Kishivan via Shutterstock

Composition is one of the core principles of photography, and while it’s important across all types of photography, it’s even more so in landscape photography. That’s because (in most cases) your subject matter is the landscape itself, and there are no people or objects to grab the viewer’s attention.

Therefore, studying the basic rules of composition for photography and knowing how to use them to your advantage to capture beautiful landscapes is essential. The three main principles you want to master are the rule of thirds, creating depth with leading lines, and balancing elements within the frame for visual harmony. 

Maximize Natural Light for Landscape Photography

Photo by Flaviya via Shutterstock

Whenever taking pictures outdoors, you are at the mercy of weather and sun conditions. And while they constantly change, a little knowledge and planning beforehand can eliminate much of that unpredictability. For example, it’s best to shoot beautiful landscapes during either the “golden hour” or “blue hour” to maximize natural light.

Checking the sunrise and sunset times on your favorite weather app is the easiest way to calculate these times. Alternatively, two fantastic apps for tracking the sun and moon positions are PhotoPills and Sun Surveyor. Another lighting tip is to use shadows and highlights to add drama and depth to your landscape images. 

Use Filters and Accessories for Beautiful Landscapes

Photo by costagliola via Shutterstock

Lens filters are your best friend if you can’t shoot during golden hour or blue hour (or sometimes even if you can). There are two popular types of filters: polarizing filters and ND (Neutral Density) filters. Polarizing filters reduce glare and enhance the definition of skies. Have you ever worn polarized sunglasses? It’s the same! 

On the other hand, ND filters adjust the amount of light that hits the camera sensor and are ideal for shooting in the middle of the day when the sun is most intense, for long exposures, and for creating motion blur. Other must-own landscape photography gear includes tripods, remote shutter releases, and a camera backpack to carry it all.

Try a Different Kind of Tripod

Of course, you can lighten your load of gear significantly by investing in a camera tripod alternative…

I’ve been using Octopad (shown above and below) for years and years, and it’s proven its weight in gold. This compact device has a standard 1/4-inch interface. This means you can use it with mirrorless cameras, DSLRs, action cameras, lights, and other photography and videography accessories. Personally, I most frequently use my Octopads with my GoPros to capture B-roll when I’m filming in the field.

But, Octopad is ideal for landscape photography applications, too. Think about it – having a stable base for your camera is necessary to get the sharpest photos. Octopad certainly delivers! Its weighted base has a grippy surface to keep it in place. This is true even on angled or slippery surfaces like wet rocks near a stream.

Additionally, the reinforced stitching and Oxford fabric construction means the base is completely sealed and offers long-lasting durability. When you’re in rain, snow, mud, and other elements taking landscape photos, you need gear that’s built to last – and Octpoad is!

And since Octopad is small enough to slide into your backpack, you get all these benefits without having to lug around a big, heavy tripod. When I’m camping and go for a hike to take photos, I always take my Octopad in lieu of a big tripod. It’s just so much simpler and easier!

Experiment with Perspectives and Angles

Photo by Bjoern Alberts via Shutterstock

Perspective and angle also play an important role in reproducing natural scenes in photos. The best ways to experiment with perspective are adding foreground interest into a scene and using different-length lenses. Foreground elements add depth and context, while lenses (wide-angle vs telephoto) transmit different perspectives and add diversity to your compositions. 

At the same time, a landscape can look completely different depending on the angle it’s photographed from. Three common angles for landscape photography are eye-level, low-angle, and birds-eye-view. Tripods help with low-angle photography, and drones are amazing tools for aerial photography.

Our articles might have affiliate links and the occasional sponsored content, but don’t sweat it – if you buy something, we get a little kickback at no extra cost to you, and we only hype products we truly believe in.

Learn More:

• Summer Landscape Photography Tips
• 5 Keys for More Impactful Photos of Landscapes

Hero photo by Kris Wiktor via Shutterstock.

The post Photography Tips: Techniques for Beautiful Landscapes appeared first on Photography Talk.

Lucky for you, though, this landscape photography guide will share five keys to taking more impactful photos. We’ll touch on photography techniques such as lighting, isolating subjects, visual tension, composition, editing, and more!

With that in mind, keep reading to elevate your photography skills to new heights and take more impactful photos of landscapes!

Check out the video above by Michael Shainblum to learn his number one landscape photography tip to be more creative and take more impactful photos.

Table of Contents

• Impactful Photos Feature Beautiful Light
• Isolate Subjects in the Frame for More Impact
• Create Visual Tension in the Frame for Impactful Photos of Landscapes
• Help the Viewer Out by Leading Their Eye
• Create More Impactful Photos Through Editing and Presentation

Impactful Photos Feature Beautiful Light

Photo by sun ok via Shutterstock

Light can 100% make or break landscape photography. For example, you can completely transform a scene depending on how it’s illuminated and the sun’s position. Generally, the two best times for landscape photography are during the golden hour and the blue hour. Golden hour is right after sunrise and before sunset, while blue hour is right before sunrise and after sunset. 

If you want to shoot during the middle of the day when the sun is high in the sky and at its brightest, it’s best to use ND filters. They let you control the amount of light that reaches the camera sensor, avoid overexposed images, and create soft backgrounds. ND filters are also an essential tool for long-exposure photography.

Another fun way to play with light is with shadows and silhouettes. Side lighting creates natural shadows in landscapes and adds depth to images. In contrast, you must use backlighting for silhouettes. To completely eliminate shadows, you need front lighting, usually from a bright artificial light source.

Isolate Subjects in the Frame for More Impact

Photo by EB Adventure Photography via Shutterstock

Try isolating the subject to take impactful photos and attract viewers’ attention to a specific subject in a landscape scene. There are many ways to isolate subjects in the frame—let’s take a closer look at some of them.

The most popular way is, without a doubt, using shallow depth of field (bokeh) effects. This technique blurs the background of your image while keeping your subject perfectly in focus. You want to use a high aperture (low f-stop number) to do this. Once you get the hang of how and when to shoot shallow depth-of-field photography, it’s also great for portraits!

Other ways to isolate subjects in your images include light and shadows, motion blur, color, focal length, and point of view. 

Create Visual Tension in the Frame for Impactful Photos of Landscapes

Photo by Kedofoto via Shutterstock

Using visual tension in your landscape photography is another technique that leads to more impactful photos. What is visual tension? It’s a composition principle that arranges your subjects and background within the frame in a way that evokes a feeling of anticipation and unease. 

A fun way to create visual tension in landscape photography is through the use of reflections. Reflections juxtapose a landscape in a unique way that immediately captures attention and draws viewers in for a second look. You can use mirrors, tiles, windows, and bodies of water for reflection photography. 

More tips for visual tension are working with symmetry, using diagonal lines, rotating images, and experimenting with visual gravity.  

Help the Viewer Out by Leading Their Eye

Photo by Andrew Mayovskyy via Shutterstock

Every once in a while, you must guide your viewers toward the primary subject in your landscape photography. A great way to accomplish this is by leading their eyes towards where you want them to look. 

A simple way to create impactful photos and “push” people’s attention is to use leading lines. Leading lines are a photography technique that uses natural or artificial lines within the frame to direct the eyes to a specific spot. The photo of the island and pier above is a perfect example of how to use leading lines in landscape photography to take more impactful photos. 

Other effective ways to lead the viewer’s eyes are vignetting, creating a “frame within a frame,” blur, and contrast. 

Create More Impactful Photos Through Editing and Presentation

Photo by Yevhenii Chulovskyi via Shutterstock

Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of editing and properly presenting your photos. In the past, photo editing was primarily done only by professional photographers, but now, it’s a crucial step in the photography process for photographers of all skill levels. Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop are the two most popular photo editing programs today.

Two easy ways to enhance your images during editing are boosting colors and contrast. You can also reframe them, boost clarity, brighten/darken the exposure, and create artificial blur effects.

How you showcase your images also greatly impacts their visual impact. For example, the same image displayed on a small smartphone screen will have substantially less effect on people than a large photo print. 

That said, we love transforming our impactful photos into gorgeous large-format metal prints from Large Metal Prints. These folks only use premium materials, and have printers with outstanding color accuracy. You can order a metal print in all manner of sizes up to 48″ x 84″. Talk about a large metal print!

Moreover, you can order your print from Large Metal Prints in a variety of ways. Get the print by itself, with a gallery mount or floating hanger, an easel, or a Euro frame, just to name a few. You can truly customize the sizing and presentation of your print to satisfy your personal tastes or the purpose of the print (e.g., a wow factor print on your wall or a small print on an easel to display on your desk).

Showcasing your work – even to yourself in your own home – is a great way to improve your skills even further. What better way to critique your photo than by examining it as a huge wall print?! Better still, it’s a fun way to share your photos with family and friends who can enjoy your skills and talents. You can even give your photos as gifts to loved ones! Who wouldn’t appreciate a gorgeous print like those shown above?

But, as they say, the proof is in the pudding…

In the video below, our very own Alex Schult takes you behind the curtain of a recent print he ordered from Large Metal Prints, and as you can see, the results are just WOW:

As you can see, Large Metal Prints knocked this one out of the park. Again, with loads of options for customizing your print and years of dedicated service to their customers, Large Metal Prints is a great option for showcasing your hard work behind the lens.

So, now all you need to do is go practice these tips! Great results come from hard work, so the sooner you get to it, the sooner you will see improved results!

Heads up: Clicking on our affiliate links and exploring our sponsored content helps us at no extra cost to you, and we only recommend gear we’re absolutely crazy about!

Learn More:

• Is a Zoom or a Prime the Best Lens for Landscape Photography?
• Photography Tips: Techniques for Beautiful Landscapes

Hero photo by Zhukova Valentyna via Shutterstock

The post 5 Keys for More Impactful Photos of Landscapes appeared first on Photography Talk.

Part of the program of summer landscape photography is simply finding the time to get out and shoot (which can be easier said than done!). But, you also need the skills behind the lens to get the best results.

In this article, I’ll share some essential tips to help you make the most of your summer landscape photography. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right time of day to utilizing natural elements, adjusting camera settings, and enhancing your photos through post-processing. In other words, you’ll get a dash of this and a dash of that, so you have a fully stocked toolkit to elevate your summer landscape photography game.

So, with that, let’s get to it!

Table of Contents

• Choosing the Right Time of Day for Summer Landscape Photography
• Utilizing Natural Elements in Summer Landscape Photography
• Camera Settings and Equipment for Landscapes
• Post-Processing Techniques for Summer Landscape Photography
• Bring It Home With a Beautiful Print

Choosing the Right Time of Day For Summer Landscape Photography

Photo by Piotr Krzeslak via Shutterstock

One of the most critical aspects of landscape photography is lighting, and the time of day plays a significant role in determining the quality of light. Understanding when to shoot can make a dramatic difference in your summer landscape photography photos.

Golden Hour

The golden hour, which occurs shortly after sunrise and before sunset, is a magical time for photographers. During this period, the sun is low in the sky, casting a warm, soft light that creates long shadows and enhances textures. The golden hour light is ideal for bringing out the rich colors of a summer landscape.

Blue Hour

Photo by Wojciech Dziadosz via Shutterstock

The blue hour is the time just before sunrise and after sunset when the sun is below the horizon, and the sky takes on a deep blue hue. This period offers a unique lighting condition that can add a moody and ethereal quality to your photos. It’s perfect for capturing serene and tranquil scenes.

Midday Challenges

While the golden and blue hours are perfect for landscape photography, sometimes you may find yourself shooting during the harsh midday sunlight. The light at this time is intense and can create harsh shadows and overexposed highlights. To manage this, look for shaded areas or use a polarizing filter to reduce glare and enhance colors. You can also experiment with black-and-white photography, where strong contrasts can add a dramatic effect.

Weather Considerations

Photo by midfon via Shutterstock

Needless to say, weather can significantly impact the quality of your photos…

Overcast days provide diffused light that reduces harsh shadows and brings out details in a summer landscape. Stormy skies can add drama and a sense of scale to your landscapes. As noted above, bright sunlight can create harsh shadows and tons of contrast that are ideal for black-and-white summer landscape photography.

Always keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared to adapt your plans accordingly. Getting the best results relies in part on working with what you’ve got. If you head out looking for only one type of landscape with the ideal weather conditions for that area, you’ll probably be disappointed! Don’t be afraid to pivot and pursue other types of images based on what Mother Nature is doing.

Utilizing Natural Elements in Summer Landscape Photography

Photo by Smit via Shutterstock

Incorporating natural elements into your compositions can elevate your summer landscape photography by adding depth, interest, and a sense of place. Reflections are a fantastic place to start. Water bodies like lakes, rivers, and ponds can create stunning reflections that add symmetry and balance to your photos. Position yourself at a low angle to capture the reflection clearly. Early morning or late afternoon is ideal for this, as the light is softer, and the water is often calmer.

Leading lines are another compositional tool you can use to create better shots. Lines are visual elements that draw the viewer’s eye through the image and towards the main subject. Natural features such as rivers, trails, and tree lines make excellent leading lines. Position these elements diagonally or horizontally to guide the viewer’s gaze across the frame.

Photo by Smit via Shutterstock

Using trees or branches to frame your shot can also improve the composition of your summer landscape photography. Specifically, trees or branches create a natural border and add depth to your composition. This technique helps to direct attention to the central subject while adding context and a sense of scale. Be mindful of how the light interacts with the foliage, creating interesting patterns of light and shadow.

Of course, we can’t miss out on discussing foreground interest…

Including elements in the foreground of your composition can add a sense of depth and scale. Flowers, rocks, or even patterns in the landscape can serve as compelling foreground subjects. Ensure that your foreground is in sharp focus to maintain clarity throughout the image.

Camera Settings and Equipment for Landscapes

Photo by Photostriker via Shutterstock

Choosing the right camera settings and equipment is crucial for capturing high-quality landscape photos. While each of the topics discussed below is far too broad to discuss in detail here, you can get a general sense of basic camera settings and equipment you’ll need for landscape photography.

Aperture and Depth of Field

Aperture settings play a significant role in determining the depth of field in your photos. For landscape photography, a smaller aperture (higher f-stop number), like f/8 to f/16, is ideal to ensure that both the foreground and background are in sharp focus. However, if you want to isolate a specific subject, a larger aperture (lower f-stop number), like f/2.8 to f/4, can create a beautiful bokeh effect.

Shutter Speed

Photo by Alex Borderline via Shutterstock

Shutter speed affects how motion is captured in your photos. For sharp, detailed images, use a faster shutter speed, like 1/500-1/1000 seconds. If you want to capture motion blur, such as moving water or clouds, experiment with slower shutter speeds, like 1/30th of a second or slower. But beware – a tripod is essential for long exposure shots to avoid camera shake.

ISO Settings

Keep your ISO as low as possible to reduce noise and maintain image quality. In bright conditions, an ISO of 100 or 200 is sufficient. In lower light situations, you may need to increase the ISO (say, to 800, 1600, or higher), but be mindful of the trade-off between sensitivity and noise. It’s worth studying the exposure triangle, too, so you understand the interrelationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.

Essential Equipment

Aside from a sturdy tripod, polarizing filters are essential for summer landscape photography. These filters can enhance colors and reduce reflections, while neutral density (ND) filters allow you to use slower shutter speeds in bright conditions. Wide-angle lenses are ideal for capturing expansive scenes, while telephoto lenses can help you isolate distant subjects.

Post-processing Techniques for Summer Landscape Photography

As discussed in the video above by Sam & Hannah Bose Photography, post-processing is an essential step in bringing out the best in your landscape photos. Give their video a watch to get a full rundown on a complete start-to-finish editing process. I’ve listed a few critical editing tools and tips below as a quick-start guide for summer landscape photography post-processing, too:

• Start by adjusting the exposure to ensure that your image is correctly lit. Increase the contrast to make the colors pop and add depth to the scene. Be careful not to overdo it, as too much contrast can result in a loss of detail.
• Summer landscapes are full of vibrant colors. Use the saturation and vibrance sliders to subtly enhance these colors. For a more natural look, consider using selective color adjustments to boost specific hues without affecting the entire image.
•  High Dynamic Range (HDR) processing involves combining multiple exposures to capture a wider range of light and shadow details. This technique is particularly useful for scenes with high contrast, such as sunsets or sunrises. Most modern cameras have an HDR mode, or you can use post-processing software to merge your exposures.
• To capture wide, expansive landscapes, consider creating a panorama by stitching multiple images together. Use a tripod and overlap each shot by about 30% to ensure seamless merging. Panorama stitching software can then combine your shots into a single, stunning image.
• Selective editing allows you to adjust specific parts of your image without affecting the entire photo. Use tools like the graduated filter or radial filter to enhance the sky, add a vignette, or draw attention to a particular area. This technique helps to create a more balanced and visually appealing composition.

Bring it Home with a Beautiful Print

The final summer landscape photography tip I want to offer is the notion that you should select your very best images to have printed. The process of doing so can be enormously informative and helpful for your growth as a photographer.

Think about it…

Printing an image requires you to survey all the photos you took, pick the best ones, and take time editing them. Then ,you have to consider which of the final batch speaks most to you, and more importantly, why it speaks to you.

There’s something to be said for holding a print of your image in your hands as well. It’s one thing to see it on a computer screen, but to have a physical print you can feel and hang on your wall makes the experience all the more real.

Printing Options for Your Images

These days, your options for printing summer landscape photography are virtually limitless. You can work with any number of online printers to get things like metal, acrylic, canvas, or paper prints. But not all printing companies are made alike…

I’ve worked with Artbeat Studios for a number of years now, and they have always provided me with some of the very best prints I’ve ever gotten. This goes for all the various substrates they offer, too. I’ve reviewed their metal, acrylic, canvas, and paper prints over the years, and in each instance, I was blown away by the quality of the prints. Heck, they even turned one of my iPhone photos into a stunning metal print, as you can see in my video below:

Anyone can slap an image on a substrate and dropship it to you. But the folks at Artbeat Studios do so much more than that. Aside from having a team of highly-skilled artisans, Artbeat Studios uses only the finest-quality materials and cutting-edge tools to create your prints.

What’s more, the care they take for your images is truly impressive. I’ve been in their shop and watched them work, and you’d think every customer was their own mother or grandmother. The Artbeat team knows that your images are important to someone, so they want the viewing experience to be second to none.

So, once you’ve edited your favorite images, don’t trust anyone to do the job of turning them into prints. Give Artbeat Studios a try and experience products and services that are the cream of the crop!

Friendly disclaimer: Our articles may contain affiliate links that support us without costing you more, and sometimes we spice things up with sponsored content—but only for products we truly stand behind!

Learn More:

• Four Simple Beginner Photography Tips
• Is a Zoom or a Prime the Best Lens for Landscape Photography?

Hero photo by Smit via Shutterstock

The post Summer Landscape Photography Tips appeared first on Photography Talk.

So, which type of lens is the best bet for your situation? Well, not to let the cat out of the bag, but, ultimately, the answer is that it depends. 

In this guide, we’ll explore the nuances between prime and zoom lenses in the context of landscape photography, drawing from personal experience and industry insights to help you make an informed choice.

To help illustrate the differences between these lenses, their benefits, and their detriments, I’ll use examples currently in stock at MPB, one of my favorite online retailers for used camera gear. MPB stocks thousands of cameras, lenses, and accessories for virtually any photographic or videographic pursuit.

Better still, MPB’s stock is constantly changing with gear coming in via customers who sell or trade their old gear for newer gear. This isn’t just advantageous from a selection standpoint, though – you can also trade or sell your gear to MPB, get rid of some of the gear you don’t use, and earn cash to apply towards your purchase of a new-to-you zoom or prime lens for landscape photography. What’s not to like?!

Without further ado, let’s get to it!

Table of Contents

• Introduction to Prime and Zoom Lenses
• Image Quality and Sharpness of Primes and Zooms
• Aperture and Low-Light Performance of Primes and Zooms
• The Best Lens for Landscape Photography: Flexibility and Composition Comparisons
• Portability and Weight Considerations for Primes and Zooms
• Is a Zoom or Prime Lens the Best Lens for Landscape Photography?

Introduction to Prime and Zoom Lenses

When setting out to capture beautiful landscapes, the choice between a prime lens and a zoom lens sets the foundation for your approach.

Here’s what I mean…

Prime lenses, with their fixed focal lengths like 24mm, 35mm, or 50mm, offer unparalleled sharpness and optical quality. Take, for instance, the Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM—renowned for its edge-to-edge sharpness and superb color rendition, ideal for capturing intricate details in vast landscapes.

But, since it’s a fixed focal length, you either have to “zoom with your feet” or swap out lenses to get a wider or narrower view of the landscape before you. This isn’t a big deal, but something to consider.

On the other hand, zoom lenses provide versatility, allowing you to zoom in and out without changing lenses or moving your feet. A lens like the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR, a workhorse lens loved by landscape photographers for its flexibility, is a prime (pun intended!) example of this.

Since this lens covers wide-angle to short telephoto ranges, it’s perfect for composing various landscape shots on the fly. Shoot wide to capture the large scene in front of you, zoom in for a mid-range shot with layered elements in the foreground, midground, and background, or zoom all the way in to create more intimate landscape images.

So, when weighing these options, consider which type of lens best suits your workflow – a prime lens with improved optical quality or a zoom lens with the functionality and versatility of multiple focal lengths.

Image Quality and Sharpness of Primes and Zooms

Prime lenses excel in image quality due to their simpler optical construction and fixed focal lengths. The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM, for instance, delivers stunning clarity and sharpness even in low-light conditions, capturing landscapes with exceptional detail. This superior sharpness is particularly noticeable when shooting at wider apertures, where primes shine brightest.

Zoom lenses, while offering convenience, may sacrifice a bit of sharpness compared to primes, especially at their extreme focal lengths.

However, advancements in lens design, like those found in the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD, have minimized this gap, providing impressive sharpness across its zoom range. This makes modern zoom lenses a viable option if you prioritize flexibility without compromising too much on image quality.

Aperture and Low-Light Performance of Primes and Zooms

Photo by suhovhd via Shutterstock

Prime lenses often boast wider maximum apertures—such as f/1.4 or f/1.8—which are advantageous for low-light conditions and achieving shallow depth of field in landscape photography.

The Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art is a great example of how wide apertures can transform nighttime landscapes into ethereal scenes with crisp details and beautiful bokeh. The image above of a foggy, dark forest might be best achieved with a prime lens like the Sigma, with a very large aperture that can gather as much light as possible.

Photo by Fabio tomat via Shutterstock

Zoom lenses, like the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM, typically have narrower maximum apertures, like f/2.8 or f/4, across their focal range. However, they offer the convenience of zooming in and out while maintaining a consistent aperture. This can be beneficial when shooting landscapes that require quick adjustments in framing and composition, like the rapidly changing colors during golden hour over a waterfall. 

The Best Lens for Landscape Photography: Flexibility and Composition Comparisons

The ability to zoom in and out with a single lens is perhaps the most significant advantage of zoom lenses in landscape photography. This flexibility allows you to quickly adjust your composition without changing your shooting position.

For instance, the Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art provides a versatile range suitable for capturing both sweeping vistas and intimate details within the same scene. Lenses like this with a very wide aperture range don’t all offer the same image quality as the Sigma, though. Be sure to do your due diligence when researching the best lens for landscape photography.

Prime lenses, with their fixed focal lengths, require a more deliberate approach to composition. They challenge you to explore different perspectives and framing techniques, pushing creativity in landscape photography.

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 is a great example of this focus on composition, offering exceptional clarity and edge-to-edge sharpness at a wide angle. The combination of the f/2.8 aperture and the 26mm focal length gives you exactly what you need to take crystal-clear, sweeping images of your favorite landscapes.

Portability and Weight Considerations for Primes and Zooms

Photo by rdonar via Shutterstock

When trekking through rugged landscapes or traveling long distances, the weight and portability of your gear become crucial factors. Prime lenses are generally lighter and more compact due to their simpler construction and lack of moving zoom mechanisms. However, you may find yourself in a situation in which you need two, three, or four primes to get the same focal coverage as a single zoom.

In contrast, zoom lenses encompass a wider focal range within a single body, which often results in a bulkier and heavier lens. Despite this, advancements in lens materials and designs have made some zoom lenses more manageable without sacrificing essential features like weather sealing and robust build quality. Still, these lenses are typically significantly bigger than primes – and might be larger than several primes put together.

Is a Zoom or Prime Lens the Best Lens for Landscape Photography?

Photo by Jakub Maculewicz via Shutterstock

As I mentioned earlier, the choice between a prime lens and a zoom lens for landscape photography boils down to your specific shooting style, preferences, and priorities.

Prime lenses offer unmatched image quality, superior sharpness, and wider apertures, making them ideal if you want to prioritize optical excellence and creative control. On the other hand, zoom lenses provide flexibility, convenience, and a range of focal lengths in a single package, which is perfect if you want versatility and ease of use in varied shooting conditions.

Ultimately, whether you opt for a prime or a zoom lens, both have their rightful place in landscape photography. Consider your shooting environment, desired image quality, and compositional flexibility when selecting the best lens to capture the awe-inspiring beauty of the natural world.

And, whichever lens you opt for, buying used is a great way to save money while enhancing your ability to expand your kit. MPB offers excellent deals on primes and zooms for all platforms, from Sony to Canon to Nikon, and full-frame to APS-C to micro four-thirds cameras (and more!). I’ve bought, sold, and traded gear with MPB on many occasions in the past, and my experiences have been nothing but stellar. I’m sure you’ll find the same to be true!

Just so you know, some of the cool stuff we mention comes with affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission if you buy (no extra charge to you!). Plus, we occasionally feature sponsored content, but rest assured, we only shout out products we genuinely stand behind.

Learn More:

• Photography Tips: Techniques for Beautiful Landscapes
• Get All the Landscape Photography Inspiration You Need With These Simple Tips

Hero photo by Virrage Imagesvia Shutterstock

The post Is a Zoom or a Prime the Best Lens for Landscape Photography? appeared first on Photography Talk.

You are not alone if you’re stuck in a creative rut, searching for more motivation and landscape photography inspiration. No matter how much experience or success someone has, every landscape photographer will occasionally experience times like these. 

Therefore, the key is not to prevent them altogether but to minimize their lengths when they inevitably pop up. How do you do this? Keep reading to find out! 

Check out the video above by Ian Worth to see how he finds landscape photography inspiration close to home. 

Table of Contents

• Explore Local Parks and Nature Reserves for Landscape Photography Inspiration
• Study the Work of Famous Landscape Photographers for Inspiration
• Experimentation Can Boost Your Landscape Photography Inspiration
• Seek Inspiration Beyond Photography
• Printing Your Best Photos Can Be the Best Landscape Photography Inspiration

Explore Local Parks and Nature Reserves for Landscape Photography Inspiration

Photo by Emily Marie Wilson via Shutterstock

While everyone wants to photograph famous landscapes and beautiful national parks, you don’t have to go on grand adventures to find landscape photography inspiration. Local parks, nature reserves, and wilderness areas are all wonderful places to shoot landscapes closer to home. We highly encourage you to explore these often-overlooked areas next time you need landscape photography inspiration!

There are many benefits to immersing yourself in nearby nature and letting yourself connect and be one with your surroundings. For example, you can discover new perspectives, subjects, and wildlife. You don’t always have to go with your camera, either. In fact, we actually recommend leaving the camera at home from time to time to scout locations. 

If you are planning to travel for landscape photography inspiration, researching and planning your visit is essential. Tips for helping during the research/planning stage include checking weather forecasts and sunrise/sunset times, building a shot list, and investing in any special gear you may need for the photo shoot. 

Study the Work of Famous Landscape Photographers for Inspiration

Ansel Adams, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Another way to find landscape photography inspiration is to study the work of famous landscape photographers like Ansel Adams. He was an environmentalist and photographer during the middle of the nineteenth century and is considered a legend in landscape photography. He took the photo above of the Grand Tetons and Snake River in 1942. 

His dedication to core photography principles, such as composition, use of light, and choice of subjects, set him apart from other photographers of his time. Since they didn’t have digital cameras during his time, he would spend hours searching for and composing the perfect scene. 

Next time you are at home and need landscape photography inspiration, pull up some of his photos online and compare and contrast yours next to them. It’s a great way to analyze your photography skills and improve your creative eye. 

Experimentation Can Boost Your Landscape Photography Inspiration

Photo by Kluciar Ivan via Shutterstock

An easy way to lose landscape photography inspiration is to repeatedly take the same style of photos over and over again. To avoid this, we recommend regularly experimenting with different types of shots, angles, perspectives, etc. 

If you are short on ideas, consider investing in a new lens for landscape photography, such as a telephoto or macro lens. Using a new lens will completely change your approach and force you to devise new ways to capture the essence of a landscape. Photographing the same landscape in different seasons is also a fun way to gain landscape photography inspiration.

Adopting the mindset of a “lifelong learner” is another way to spark an interest in landscape photography. Watching videos on YouTube and browsing Instagram feeds of popular landscape photographers are two quick ways to feed your thirst for knowledge. Alternatively, you could sign up for a landscape photography workshop or enroll in a landscape photography course!

Seek Inspiration Beyond Photography

Photo by  dengali via Shutterstock

Not all landscape photography inspiration has to come from photography itself, though. Creativity and passion surround us all the time, which means you can learn lessons and gain inspiration from anything, whether it’s other art forms like painting, literature, film, and music or something unrelated like sports and cooking. 

Let’s look specifically at painting. When thinking about what makes a good painting, many of the same rules apply to photography. So, next time you are in a museum, focus on specific artistic aspects such as composition, color, and mood to see how the artist used them successfully and if you can do the same in your photos.

We’ve even had it happen that reading a book or watching a movie inspires us to start a new landscape photography project. National Geographic and the Discovery Channel are two of our go-to places for landscape photography inspiration. 

Printing Your Best Photos Can Be the Best Landscape Photography Inspiration

Finally, there’s no better source of landscape photography inspiration than yourself! The more often you see your images and are reminded of the photos and the memories that accompany them, the more likely you are to head into nature with your camera on a regular basis. In addition, printed photos offer a richer viewing experience than digital screens, allow for a more tactile viewing experience, and evoke stronger emotional connections. 

Our favorite way to view and connect with our images is to print them and proudly display them by hanging them around our homes and offices. To help with printing, we often turn to our friends at Large Metal Prints. They are a cutting-edge online printing company that specializes in—you guessed it—metal prints!

Metal prints pair particularly well with landscape photography because they accentuate contrast and colors, making them more visually appealing. Moreover, Large Metal Prints offers various metal print styles, sizes, and prices so that you can choose the best fit for your needs and budget.

Heads up: Clicking on our affiliate links and exploring our sponsored content helps us at no extra cost to you, and we only recommend gear we’re absolutely crazy about!

Learn More:

• Is a Zoom or a Prime the Best Lens for Landscape Photography?
• Use Artificial Light for Landscape Photography? Yes, You Can!

The post Get All the Landscape Photography Inspiration You Need With These Simple Tips appeared first on Photography Talk.

Landscape photography covers a large array of ideas for interesting, compelling, and gorgeous images. Adding artificial light for landscape photography is one such idea that deserves a look.

What would you use artificial light for landscape photography? What type of landscape photography lighting gear is useful? I’ll answer these questions and also give some helpful tips in this landscape photography lighting guide! 

Table of Contents:

Why Use Artificial Light for Landscape Photography?

The first question people will probably ask when reading this article is, “Why would we use artificial light for landscape photography?”

Two good reasons to use artificial light for landscape photography are to create or enhance foreground interest and to balance out contrast extremes. Let’s take these one at a time.

Foreground Interest

Photo by Denis Belitsky via Shutterstock

Adding artificial light works fantastically for creating or enhancing foreground interest. It can also highlight aspects of the scene elsewhere in the frame, such as an off-center element. 

This technique is especially useful when the foreground subject you want to use as an important part of the composition is backlit or otherwise too dimly lit to impact the photo.

Here’s how to do it: Set up your scene as you normally would, adjusting the exposure to capture the landscape. Then, add a light for the foreground subject. While your camera’s built-in flash may work in some instances, you’ll likely need something more powerful or closer to the subject for situations like this.

Many digital camera systems have amazingly accurate and versatile flash units that work with the camera’s AF and metering system to perfectly balance the combined exposure. 

Here is a nice YouTube video from Øyvind Martinsen showing how to use fill flash for landscape photography:

Sometimes, you won’t want a perfectly balanced exposure but rather a foreground subject that pops out at you. A small, portable LED light source is a better choice in these situations. A camera mount system like the Octopad is handy for this use, whether for a foreground subject or something else in the frame.

A handheld LED light or a flashlight can be used to create a light painting within a landscape image. This technique is usually best when the ambient light is very low, such as during Blue Hour, twilight, or fully dark nighttime.

Balance Contrast

Photo by Smit via Shutterstock

Situations for using artificial light in landscape photography will often be similar to those discussed above. Instead of highlighting the foreground objects, however, we can also blend in and balance the artificial light with the natural or ambient light.

The automated flash systems on the camera or the LED lights placed near the subject could be utilized for this style of using artificial light for landscape photography. To fine-tune exposures, you can also use some of the controls in post-processing programs such as Lightroom or Luminar.

In the image above, for example, you might add lighting to the cave to balance the darkness of the walls and cave floor with the brightness of the scene outside the cave.

Types of Artificial Light for Landscape Photography

Photo by Skamai via Shutterstock

I use three types of artificial light for landscape photography. 

A large reflector like the one shown above can be used to modify light, directing reflected light toward the subject that needs illumination. An on-camera flash unit is a simple method for adding light that can work with your camera’s automation.

The third type of artificial light for landscape photography, a portable LED light, is what I consider the most versatile. Battery-powered LED lights for photography can be placed anywhere you need them, the power level is adjustable, and many of them have controls for changing the color temperature of the light emitted to match what’s already in the scene.

Useful Accessories for Landscape Photography Lighting

For many of the situations in which we need to add artificial light for landscape photography, we also need that light to be placed off-camera.

Octopad is the most useful light holder for landscape photography lighting due to its unique combination of features. 

The first feature I like to highlight is that it can go anywhere. Octopad is a semi-rigid, weighted disk made of heavy-duty material with a non-slip pad on the bottom. With this construction, it can be placed on any surface, even if that surface is angled up to 45 degrees. 

Octopad has a ball head on top that can also be combined with an extension arm if more height is needed. It’s easy to carry in a camera backpack, and since it’s low-priced, you can keep two or more on hand for using several lights. It can also be used as a tripod alternative to hold a camera and lens, or it can hold a remote microphone for videography.

Photo Ideas Using Artificial Light for Landscape Photography

Photo by Anton on Unsplash

Your creative brain is already working, creating all sorts of situations in which you could use artificial light when photographing landscapes. 

One situation that often arises is shooting into the sun’s direction for whatever artistic reason you’re employing. This leaves the foreground parts of the scene pretty much backlit or falling into shadow. 

Light painting, either extreme or subtle, is a fantastic use of artificial light for landscape photography. It can be quite striking when used as an art form in its own right, but I think the subtle use of light painting often creates a beautiful landscape with clearly defined objects throughout the scene.

Let’s not forget environmental portraiture. What better way to create an environmental portrait than to put the subject in the environment and use them as part of the landscape? 

Architectural subjects, such as abandoned structures in rural areas, can also be great subjects for using artificial light in landscape photography. If you put your mind to it, you’ll come up with dozens of other ideas for landscape photography lighting.

A quick heads-up: If you snag something through our affiliate links or check out our sponsored content, we might earn a commission at no extra cost to you. But fear not, we’re all about recommending stuff we’re truly stoked about!

Learn More:

• Summer Landscape Photography Tips
• Is a Zoom or a Prime the Best Lens for Landscape Photography?

The post Use Artificial Light for Landscape Photography? Yes, You Can! appeared first on Photography Talk.